Match-box.



No. 813,503. PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906. H. E. LINDNER & H. J. KALLINIGH.

MATCH BOX. v APPLICATION FILED OUT. 5,19 05.

ww. 60W,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. LINDNER AND HUGO J. KALLINICH, OF HARTFORD,

- CONNECTICUT.

MATCH-BOX.

Patented Feb. 27, 1906.

Application filed October 5, 1905. Serial No. 281A44- To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that we, HENRY E. LINDNER and HUGO J. KALLINICH, citizens of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Match-Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a match box which is designed to deliver matches one at a time, and is particularly serviceable for cigar-counters, bars, hotels, and other public places where it is desired to have a limited supply of matches for free distribution.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and attractive box which will hold a large number of matches and will deliver the matches one at a time in such manner that there is no danger of causing fire and there is no incentive for an individual to remove more matches than necessary for immediate use.

This match-box has a receptacle for containing the matches, a gate that travels through and lifts the matches individually out of the receptacle where they can be grasped by the fingers, and a plunger which withdraws the gate and making tense a spring that lifts the gate, the plunger being provided with means whereby the ate may be depressed quickly, but is lifted s owly.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a vertical section of the machine looking toward one side. Fig. 2 shows a vertical section looking toward the front. Fig. 3 shows a view of the under side of the base, and Fig. 4 shows a top view.

The base 1 may be cast to shape of any suitable metal and may have any desired out line, ornamentation, and finish. Extending upwardly from the base is a frame 2, which supports a receptacle 3. The receptacle shown is in the form of a cylinder having a horizontal axis, so that matches which are placed in the cylinder will gravitate to the lowest part. A section 4 of the wall of the cylinder is removable, so that matches may be readily laid in the receptacle.

The gate 5 is supported by the frame, so that it may be moved up and down from below the receptacle into the receptacle. The gate is a thin plate of metal, desirably formed of aluminium, having its side edges shaped to travel in grooves in the side Walls of the receptacle and frame. In the upper edge of the gate is a groove designed to hold a match. This edge of the gate at the center and the cylinder at the middle of the top are recessed in order that a match may be readily picked up from the top of the gate.

A link 6 connects the gate with the end of an arm '7, that projects from a shaft 8. Wound upon this shaft is a spring 9. The tension of this spring is so directed as to cause the arm to turn upwardly and lift the gate to its highest position, which is with its upper edge level with the top of the cylindrical receptacle. Projecting from the shaft are a pair of rocker-arms 10, jointed to which is a lever 11, that has its other end engaged by a lever 12. The lever 12 is rocked, so as to rock the lever 11 and turn the shaft against the tension of the spring by a plunger 13, that carries a piston 14, which fits a cylinder 15, that is attached to the base. The upper end of the plunger outside of the cylinder is provided with a finger-piece 16, by means of which it may be depressed. The piston is preferably somewhat long, so that no packings are required. Beneath the piston is a spring 17, which is adapted to lift the plunger. Through the base into the cylinder is an opening occupied by a plug 18, which is held in position'by a spring 19. This plug acts as an air-valve to let air flow out readily from the cylinder when the plunger and piston are depressed, but prevent the rapid inflow of air and rise of the piston and plunger.

When the plunger is depressed by pressing down upon the finger-piece, the gate is drawn down into the frame below the bottom of the receptacle. Gravity then causes a match to roll into the groove in the upper edge of the gate. When the pressure is removed from the finger-piece, the plunger and the gate, with the match, rise; but as the valve allows but a small quantity of air to flow the piston rises slowly in the cylinder and insures the very slow lifting of the gate and match.

In this device the matches are inclosed in a fireproof case, and they are lifted out very slowly by the gate, one at each depression of the plunger. As a result of this there is no friction which would cause the matches to ignite, and as the matches come slowly there is no temptation for a person to take more matches than are necessary for immediate use.

The invention c1aimedisplunger may be depressed quickly but is 10 A match-box having a base supportin a caused to rise slowly, substantially as specirece tacle and a cylinder, a gate mova 1e fied. vertically in the receptacle, a plunger mov- HENRY E LINDNER 5 able vertically in the cylinder, a connection between the plunger and the gate, a spring HUGO KALLINIOH' for-lifting the gate, a spring for lifting the Witnesses: plunger, means for depressing the plunger, H. R. WILLIAMS, and an air-valve in the cylinder whereby the E. M. LOWE. 

